Improvement in hair for stuffing cushions



PATENT OFFIoE.

WILLIAM ADAMSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN HAIR FOR STUFFING CUSH IONS, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,246, dated April 2,1872.

Specification describing Improvements in Treating Stufling for Cushions,&c., invented by WILLIAM ADAMSON, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

My invention consists of hair or bristles treated in the mannerdescribed hereafter, so as to render it moth-proof and improve it inquality. Hair used for stuffing is generally washed, boiled, and bakedor dried, and at tempts have been made to disinfect it and render itmoth-proof by boiling it in a solution of sulphate of iron, or exposingit to the action of chlorine gas but the efi'ect of this treatment,although it may serve for the time being to destroy the insects, is buttemporary, for as soon as all traces of the sulphate of iron or chlorineare gone, the animal secretions which remain at the roots and in theinterior of the hairs are in a condition to encourage the breeding andsupport of moths and other insects. The treatment, moreover, has atendency to impair the quality of the hair as a stuffing material.

Wool has been treated with hydrocarbon vapors, as in the patent grantedto Louis S. Robbins, March 24,1868; reissued October 23, 1871; but theprocess described in this patent was restricted to simple removing ofthe oily and fatty matter with which the wool is impregnated withoutregard to the removal or destruction of other secretions and animalmatter to be found at the roots and in the interior of hairs, andespecially of such as are used for stuffing purposes. Mucous secretions,together with tissues and other animal matter are most abundant in suchhair as is pulled up by the roots---hogs hairs or bristles, forinstanceand is also present in a greater or less extent in the hairs ofcows, horses and other animals; and it is these secretions which inducethe presence of moths and other insects.

I have found that by continuing the hydrocarbon treatment for asufficient length of time two important results are attained: First,independently of the removal of oils and fats, the tissues, mucous, andother animal matter above referred to are dislodged, renderedantiputrescent,and incapable of supportin g moths and other insects.Second, the hair is clarified, bleached, and, what is of greatimportance, rendered more effecient as a stuffing material, owing to itsincreased elasticity.

I prefer to .curl the hair in the usual man ner, before, instead ofafter, the hydrocarbon. treatment, for a reason explained hereafter.

This treatment may be accomplished by steeping the hair in heatedbenzine, benzole, gasoline, or naphtha, for a suflicient length of time5 but I prefer to expose it to benzine va por under pressure as a moreeffective and economical process, as the vapor can be condensed afterpassing through a mass of hair and revaporized, so that there is littleor no loss of hydrocarbon.

Hair varies so much in quality, and in the extent of its impurities thatno definine data can be given as to the time required for thehydrocarbon treatment. Hogs hairs or bristles, for instance, require alongertime to prepare than the hair of horses; and the hair of cows isof many different qualities; that of some animals being much more freefrom impurities than others. The most satisfactory guide for thetreatment is by preliminary tests, for marked changes, readilyunderstood by those engaged in the business, and familiar with theproperties of curled hair, take place after the hydrocarbon treatmenthas been continued for a proper length of time, the changes consistingof a general clarification, bleaching, and hardening of the hair, and anincreased elasticity, the properties being easily ascertained byexamination and by handling a mass of hair.

As before remarked, I prefer to curl the hair before it is subjected tothe hydrocarbon treatment, for the latter has a tendency to fix thecurls, or, in other words, to retain the hairs in their curledcondition, and at the same time impart to the hair increased elasticity.After the treatment the hair is ready for use, no washing, such asordinary curled hair requires, being necessary.

I claim as my invention- 1. As a new article of manufacture andcommerce, animal hairs or bristles, treated in the manner described.

2. The treatment described, of hair, subsequent to the curling of thesame, for the pur= pose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses: WILLIAM ADAMSON.

H. HowsoN, GHs. F. A. SIMoNrN.

